LETTER FROM THE MAYHEW

A very big thank you to James Hogan of the Mayhew Animal Home for writing this letter....

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Extracted from The Star 18 November 2008

Also published in MalaysiaKini

Tuesday November 18, 2008

Many complaints about KL’s dog catchers

I WOULD like to comment on the recent report of alleged cruel treatment of a stray dog by a team of dog catchers employed by the Subang Jaya Municipal Council but I would first like to explain why an international animal welfare organisation has taken an interest in this issue.

The Mayhew Animal Home & Humane Education Centre has been rescuing and caring for abandoned and unwanted animals in London since 1886 and today our work extends to places as far as Afghanistan, Russia, Romania and Algeria, where we advise city governments, provide special training for veterinarians and animal management personnel and promote best practice across a wide spectrum of animal welfare activity.

We have a network of contacts across the globe and in recent times we have received an increasing number of disturbing reports from Malaysia about the treatment of animals there, especially stray companion animals.

The latest report we have received from Kuala Lumpur is about the dog who was allegedly beaten and injured as he was apparently forced through the railings of a locked gate by dog catchers working for the Subang Jaya Municipal Council.

This is not the first time that concerns about KL’s dog catchers have been brought to our attention.

Apart from the complaints of local animal welfare activists in KL, we have also received a number of critical independent reports from contacts in Europe and Asia after they had visited Kuala Lumpur on business or as tourists.

The concerns raised include the excessively rough methods used by the dog catchers and the primitive conditions observed at the local dog pounds. From a purely professional point of view, I would be interested to know what selection procedures are applied when local councils recruit staff to carry out this work and, crucially, what level of training is provided?

Malaysia is a successful country that thrives on international commerce, tourism and the financial sector and has a right to be proud of its achievements in a fiercely competitive world.
However, Malaysia’s image abroad is in danger of being tarnished by the negative impressions left with visitors to Kuala Lumpur when they witness stray companion animals being treated without respect or compassion, especially when this is done by the very people officially responsible for them.

The Kuala Lumpur Tourism Action Council website waxes lyrical about the joys of visiting KL, exclaiming: “KL offers a wholly unique experience to visitors.”

As someone who has a great affection for Malaysia and its people, I am sad to say that the individuals who contact us about distressing animal welfare issues after they have visited KL make it very clear that they have had “a unique experience” that is very far removed from the image projected by the Tourism Action Council and is most assuredly one they do not wish to repeat.

JAMES HOGAN,
International Department
Mayhew Animal Home &
Humane Education Centre, London.

The Councils are at it again...

Hi all...

Another quick note...

I would like to urge everyone to once again write in to the press and voice your concern for the animals, esp in relation to my previous post... Here's a list of addresses that you can write to. Please remember to include your name and contact details. If you wish to remain anonymus, indicate that in your letter.

editor@thestar.com.my
letters@nstp.com.my
newsdesk@thesundaily.com
editor@malaysiakini.com
editorial@sinchew.com.my
bhnews@bharian.com.my
news@nstp.com.my
metro@thestar.com.my
pengarang@utusan.com
editor@nanyang.com.my
tcpb@po.jaring.my
mmnews@nstp.com.my
am@hmetro.com.my
gmkl@guangming.com.my
bgns@bernama.com

Thanks guys...

WHY????

I am very disturbed to have read this in the news today... I wish I could write more, but I am currently overwhelmed with some personal emergency... I, am however, urging everyone else to please help put a stop to all this unecessary cruelty in Malaysia...

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Extracted from The Star; Nov 10, 2008
Dog catchers acted cruelly, alleges rescuer
By WANI MUTHIAH

In pain: The dog with one of its ears injured after the ordeal.

INDEPENDENT stray dog rescuer Amy Foo had the shock of her life recently as she was taking a leisurely morning stroll near her home in Bandar Kinrara, Puchong.

Foo, 32, alleges that she saw a group of five men, several of them in Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) uniform, beating a dog and forcing it out through the railings of a locked gate.

“I heard a dog yelping in pain as I was taking my walk, and went to investigate what was going on.

“What I saw made my blood turn cold as several of the men had climbed over the gate into the premises of the locked empty house and were hitting a dog which had taken shelter there,” she said.

Since the gate was locked, the men proceeded to drag the medium-sized dog out through the narrow railings of the gate, she alleged.

“The railings began to graze and cut the dog in the mouth and ear region and there was a lot of blood, and the frightened dog was screaming in pain,” alleged Foo tearfully.

Foo said she approached the men who scolded her for interfering and threatened to compound her for obstructing them.

“They also began to use more force on the poor dog after I had approached them,” alleged Foo, who added that she believed that the dog was not a stray as it was wearing a collar chain.

Distraught and not knowing what to do, Foo contacted several other independent dog rescuers, who immediately called Selangor executive councillor in charge of local councils Ronnie Liu, who advised them to lodge a police report.

Foo lodged a report at the Puchong police station and rushed to the MPSJ dog pound located not very far from the area.

“What I saw there only depressed me further as the dog was locked up in the pound, bleeding and in pain,’’ alleged Foo.

When contacted, MPSJ president Datuk Adnan Md Ikshan said he would look into the matter as well as speak to the relevant officers.

Meanwhile, Foo and several other independent rescuers are working towards getting the injured dog out of the MPSJ dog pound in Puchong to send it for treatment.

Said one of the rescuers, Leigh Chen, who had rushed with Foo to look for the dog at the pound after it had been brought there: “This dog has undergone a traumatic and merciless ordeal at the hands of the council dog catchers.

“Given this, it is only fair that this unfortunate dog be given a chance to live the rest of its canine life in a loving home after it has been treated for its gruesome injuries.”

Chen added that she hoped municipal council dog catchers and their appointed agents would not resort to cruelty when capturing strays.

“We, the animal rescuers, plead with those who deal with strays to do their job with a sense of compassion coupled with the realisation that animals, too, know fear and pain, just like us human beings,” added Chen.

Those interested in sponsoring the injured dog’s treatment or adopting it can write to malaysiandogsdeservebetter@gmail.com

RULING ALLOWS GUIDE DOGS IN MOSQUE

Extracted from BBC News

An 18-year-old blind Muslim student in Leicester is the first to be allowed to take his guide dog into a UK mosque.

In Islam dogs are regarded as unclean and are not allowed in mosques.

However, the Muslim Law (Shari'ah) Council UK has now issued a fatwa which allows guide dogs inside mosques but not into prayer rooms.

The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association and the Muslim Council of Britain worked together to support Mohammed Abraar Khatri's request.

Guide Dogs for the Blind said it was "a massive step forward for other blind and partially-sighted Muslims".

Such a facility will highlight the Islamic attitude of helping disabled people

Mohammad Shahid RazaImams and Mosques Council UKAn association spokesman said: "It is also hoped that mosque leaders both in the UK and internationally will now make similar adjustments to enable Muslim guide dog owners to enter their mosque."

Mr Khatri, who owns a guide dog called Vargo, said the religious authorities felt they had a duty to help him.

"They were actually very good and they were the ones who were willing to help because they said it is their duty to accommodate.

"He does just lie down and relax there and sit here. Being a guide dog, their whole manner is to be calm and relaxed and just out of the way."

A special rest area has been set up in the entrance of the Bilal Jamia Mosque for Vargo to stay in while his owner is praying.

The decision was made after lengthy discussions with Muslim leaders"Mohammad Shahid Raza, director of the Imams and Mosques Council UK, said: "I believe that in all new mosques such facilities for disabled people will be an essential part of their design.

The Bilal Mosque is going to provide special provision for such guide dogs to be kept safely and securely within the mosque complex during such visits.

"Such a facility will highlight the Islamic attitude of helping disabled people and enhance the services we provide to the Muslim community."

Mohammed's father Gafar Khatri said: "Now instead of being dependent on other people to take him places he can now go where ever he wants when he wants.

"Obviously it is early days but his confidence is growing daily."

LIFE IN LONDON

Dear all,

It has been a while since I last posted... am trying to adjust to my current life in London. Am missing the kids a whole lot... but at least I got to "see Cleo" on Saturday. Douglas organised a video conference for me and Cleo... She wasn't very impressed but I think she recognised my voice...

Well I have finally gotten an apartment here... it's a really nice apartment out in the Docklands albeit a bit far from civilisation.

I had a very interesting weekend as I visited the Mayhew Animal Home. It's out in Kensal Green and I have signed up to volunteer there on Saturdays. I should be starting in October and am looking forward to that. In the mean time, for those of you who are on this side of the world, please do visit their website... It's quite amazing what they do... and maybe you can contribute in one way or another.

Till my next post..

Natasha

MISSING CLEO & CO TERRIBLY

Am at work in a cold and dreary London...

Missing the kids horribly...

HEART BREAKING....

Cleo climbed into my suitcase as I was packing... It was really heart breaking for me... Sigh... can't believe I won't see her for over 3 months...

TO LONDON AGAIN

Hi all

A quick note to say that I will be away in London again... My work currently requires that I spend extended periods of time in merry old England... sigh...

Will miss the kids so much as this time I will be away for 3.5 weeks... Am leaving next Monday and will only be back a few days before Christmas...

Please send lots of good vibes to Cleo and co and I hope they'll be fine on their own with their Daddy...

A miserable Natasha...

KITTEN FOR ADOPTION

Hi all,

My friend Davina has just rescued a kitten - Rebound. He's up for adoption. Please contact Davina at funkmebadd@hotmail.com or call Stephanie at 017 280 8526 if you are interested.

For more details on Rebound the Kitten, please click here

DOGGIE LICENSE

I finally renewed Cleo's license for this year... and got one for Rascal... will be getting one each for Lucky and Jesse soon...

I know alot of you don't bother, but it is quite important to do so...

I don't quite know if other councils work in exactly the same way, but in Ampang you're allowed 2 dogs in a landed house with a land area below 1000 sq m, and up to 4 dogs in house with an area of over 1000 sq m - subject to the discretion of the council. See my previous post on this...

What do you need to get a license for your dog?

1. Photocopy of your IC


2. Passport Photo of yourself


3. 4R photo of your dog (you must be able to see your dog entirely)


4. Medical record from your vet of your dog (Your dog MUST be vaccinated before you can get a license)

If you already have ONE licensed dog, and you subsequently obtain another dog - you just need to bring the above docs, and the identification card of your first license and inform the council that you're just adding another dog. The license will be given to you on the spot. The license fee is RM15 per dog, and RM2 for processing, and RM1 for the application form.

You will be given a identification card with the license details for both dogs - i.e. the badge numbers; and the metal badge which must be worn by your dog at all times.

So am hoping that this information is helpful... and for other areas please check with your local council...